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Budding businesses get a boost
If you’re a student with a cool business idea, UVic’s tech transfer office wants to hear about it. Each year, the Innovation and Development Corporation (IDC) holds a business plan competition, the IDC Challenge, which promotes innovation and entrepreneurship among students and provides opportunities to connect with mentors, other entrepreneurs and business experts. The four-month competition is open to post-secondary and Grade 11 and 12 students from across Vancouver Island and begins this month. Last year’s winning ideas included a vehicle security system, an automated vending device for the tourist industry, a web-based customer relationship management tool for multi-level marketing, a device for sport fishing, a new approach to video game advertising, and an indoor surfing complex. The second annual IDC Challenge starts with a launch party and information session on Wednesday, May 10 at 6 p.m. at UVic’s Vancouver Island Technology Park. Find out more about the event at www.idcchallenge.com/.
Do hospitals give the elderly the attention they need?
When seniors arrive at emergency departments or are admitted to hospitals are they provided the same attention and care as other members of the population? Not always, says clinical nurse specialist and nursing doctoral candidate Belinda Parke. But not for the reasons you’d expect. “Some older adults don’t receive the same kind of attention, but not because they’re old. Rather, it’s because they’re different.” Parke will speak about her research in an upcoming public presentation on May 10 at 4 p.m. in the David Lam Auditorium. This inaugural presentation of the school of nursing’s seminar series marks Nurses’ Week and the 30th anniversary of UVic’s school of nursing. Parke says the current health care system is geared to dealing with acute situations and making assessments that lead to care in specific areas. This kind of system tends to overlook chronic health needs of older patients who may be frail and vulnerable but not displaying the kinds of symptoms emergency and acute care health providers are trained to recognize and treat.
Trans-Canada odyssey aims to raise trans awareness
UVic social work student Noah Adams plans to spend his summer cycling across Canada—not for the scenery but in memory of former UVic student and staff member Alexandria Tucker. Tucker, a transgendered person, committed suicide last year. Adams and friend Keenan Pinder are undertaking the ride to raise awareness about the challenges transgendered people face and support for suicide prevention programs. “We’re not athletes or professional speakers. We’re just two rather ordinary guys trying to best celebrate the life of a friend and make life a little bit easier for other trans people,” says Adams. “In our speaking engagements across Canada we’ll be discussing our experiences as trans people. We hope to help people understand that in our communities, suicide is not due to mental illness so much as it’s due to intolerance and hatred.” Members of the Trans Cycling Odyssey are seeking sponsors for their initiative. For further information visit www.flyingtrannys.com or contact Adams directly at somethinglikeme@gmail.com.
Decriminalizing pot Down Under
Dr. Simon Lenton, the deputy director of Australia’s National Drug Research Institute, will discuss the background, process and evaluation of the decriminalization of cannabis use in Western Australia during an upcoming public lecture at UVic. Lenton’s main interest is in bridging the gap between drug policy research and drug policy practice. His research has influenced Australia’s legal approach to cannabis. Lenton’s presentation is co-sponsored by the BC Mental Health and Addictions Research Network and the UVic-based Centre for Addictions Research of BC. Dr. Tim Stockwell, director of CARBC and co-leader of the BC Mental Health and Addictions Research, will chair the session and give an overview of the network’s activities. The lecture takes place at noon on May 12 in the Clearihue Building, room A127.
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